All Forum Posts by: Peter J.

Hello,

We are looking to find cleaning companies that service the Mid-Cape (Dennis, specifically) and offer cleaning on Saturdays/ Sundays to facilitate short-term rental turnover.  A number of companies do not seem to offer Saturday/ Sunday dates.  

Any and all help is greatly appreciated! 

Thank you,
Peter

Hello BP!

Does anyone have any recommendations for licensed plumbers and licensed electricians to do residential work on Cape Cod?  Any and all information is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

@Daniel Dietz  It's a great idea.  I'm starting to employ the same strategy in my rentals.  In order to avoid the low participation rate, I've a.) suggested that by completing the survey, the tenants could win up to $100 - the amount is a function of the thoroughness and comprehensiveness of their answers and b.) issue the survey with 3-6 months left on the year-long lease so that I can take the feedback into consideration and assess repairs and improvements that may help retain my top quality tenants and reduce vacancy. 

Did you manage to put together a survey you felt comfortable with?  Mind sharing your approach/ questions?
  

Hello BP,

I have a pair of exemplary tenants that started renting from me in late August 2019. Their current lease ends on July 31, 2020. Given their status as exemplary tenants to-date, I'm inclined to send them a note stating that I'm willing to renew their lease for another year at the same rental price - keeping their rental rate flat year-over-year.  

My logic: they are a well-educated, quiet, and career-oriented couple. They have paid their rent early every month. The math works out where if I were to let them leave and open the unit for the potential for new tenants - even a month's worth of vacancy would require a $200+ per month increase in the rent to make up for that month's worth of vacancy.

My questions: 

1) Is there anything wrong with offering a renewal for a 12 month lease during the fifth month in an existing 12 month lease? (i.e. their current lease is set to expire July 31, 2020 and I would offer a renewal from August 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021.

2) Aside from a reduction in supply in the area and the unlikely potential for a sudden increase in average rental rates in the neighborhood, are there any drawbacks to an early renewal proposal?

3) When do experienced landlords typically offer lease renewals to great tenants/ clients?

Thank you for your time and help!

@Charlie MacPherson:  I was responding to @J.R. Coffin's earlier post. I was stating that simply having a tenant sign an agreement/ waiver regarding the presence of lead would not suffice in Massachusetts.  

I'm in agreement with your position.

I've consulted with several agents and REI and it's my understanding that simply "signing an agreement accepting the presence of lead paint" doesn't dismiss you from liability as a landlord/ owner. The law in Massachusetts is clear, for better or worse: http://massrealestatelawblog.com/2013/03/16/boston-area-landlord-hit-with-75000-penalty-over-lead-paint-violations/

Hi BP,

I'm looking to gather recommendations/ referrals for an active property manager in the Cambridge/ Somerville/ Arlington area.  I'm looking to convert my first floor condo unit -- one unit in a two unit multi-family residential home -- to a full-time rental.  

To be more specific, I'm looking for a residential property manager to help service the property over the duration of the tenant's occupancy.  We will likely be moving from the area, so we'd ideally like an active property manager to handle and facilitate all issues with the tenant/ within the unit.  Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!

Many thanks,
Peter

Thank you, @Russell Brazil  

Feel free to send me the names of any recommended agents you think are well suited for the job!  Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

Apologies.  

For context, we own a condo unit in a two unit multi-family home. 

Location: Without getting too specific, the property is in the greater Somerville/ Cambridge/ Arlington area.  

 
Issue: Noise between units.  

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

Hello BP community,

Has anyone had success with a listing agent in selling a difficult property in Greater Boston/ North Shore Boston?  If so, any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!